The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-21
CHAPTER XIV.
SENTENCE.

An hour later Gilbert was landed at Jackson
vile. The reports of the revolvers had been
heard up stream. Did they mean engage
ment between the confederate boats and the
federal fotill az Was it not to be feared that
the gunboats had cleared the channels No won
der that there was serious excitement among
the townspeople ! Some of them rushed the
stockades. The civil authorities, represented
by Texar and the most determined of his par
tsans, had followed them All were looking in
the direction of the bar. now free from mist.
Field glasses and telescopes were in constant
use But the distance was too great-about
three miles-for them ascertain the lmpor-
lance of the engagement or its results.
The fiotilla evidently remained at the anchor
age it occupied the night before and jackson
the gunboats- The people who had most deeply
committed themselves would have time to es-
cape into the interior of Florida.
If Texar two three of his mpanions
had more reason than others to fear for their
safety. there appeared to be no cause for anxiety
| in what had occurred. The Spauiard suspected
| that 1t meant the capture of the gig that he
! wanted at any cost.
Eyes. at any cost" said he, endeavoring to
| recognize the boat as it neared the quay. "At
any cost this son of Burbank's must fall into the
snare / spread for him. Then l shall hold the
| proof that James Burbank is in communica alton
with the federals! And when 1 have shot the
| son. twenty-fo hours shall not slip by before
| have shot the father"
Although his party were masters of Jackson
| vile. Texar, after the discharge of James Bur
| bank, had been waiting for propitious
| sion of again arresting him. The opportunity
| came in the trap laid for Gilbert Burbank.
| With Gilbert identified as federal officer ar
| rested in the enemy's country, condemned as a
| spy. the Spaniard could enjoy his revenge to the
| full.
| Circumstances served him we'll It was in
| deed the son of the Candles Bay planter whom
| they were bringing to Jacksonville That Gill
| bert alone, that his companion had been
| drowned or saved made little difference long
as the young officer was captured Texar mad
| only to bring him before committee composed
of his partsans, where he would preside in per-
| son.
Gilbert was received with bowls and threats
| by the people. who knew b i'm well. He treated
| the shouts with disdan He gave sign of
| fear, although a detachment of soldiers had to
be called up to protect his life against the vio-
lence of the crowd But when he saw Texar he
could not restrain himself, and would have
thrown himself on him had he not been stopped
by the soldiers
Texar did not move He did not say a word.
He pretended not to see him, and allowed him to
be taken away with the most perfect indiffer-
ence
few minutes afterwards Gilbert Burbank
found himself in the Jacksonville prison. There
could be no doubt to the fate for which the
Southerners were keeping him.
In about hour Mr.. Harvey, James Bur-
banks correspondent presented himself at the
prison and attempted to see Gilbert. He was
denied admission. By Texar's orders the lieu
tenant was kept in solitary confinement And
the only result of MIR. Harveys application
that he himself was put under strict surveil-
lance.
His connection with the Burbanks was known,
that Gilbert's arrest should Immediately be
known at Candles Bay. When the verdict was
given and the sentence pronounced 1t would be
time enough to inform James Burbank of what
had passed, and when he was informed or 1t
there would be no time for him to leave Castle
House and escape from Texar.
And so Mr.. Harvey was unable to send mes
senger Candles Bay. An embargo had been
put on all the boats in the port. All communi-
cation shut off between the right and left
banks Of the river While his father thought
he safe on board the guuboat the lieu tenant
was in prison at Jacksonville
At Castle House they listened with anxiety
for some distant sound of firing to announce the
arrival of the federals above the bar. Jackson
vile in the hands of the Northerners meant
Texar in the hands of James Burbank
Not sound was heard from down stream
Johns up to the line of boats Pyg and of
the assistant overseers sent three miles down
the riverside beyond the plantation, came back
with the same report. The fotllla was still at
the anchorage, and there was no sign OF prepa-
ration to start for Jacksonville
And besides, how could they cross the BARI
Admitting that the tide rendered it practicable
sooner than they hoped, how could they venture
along the intricate channel now that the only
pilot who knew the soundiEgs longer
with theml For Mars had not reappeared. And
If James Burbank had known what had passed
after the capture of the gig, would he have
believed that his sons companion had persisted
in the whirlpools9 And if Mars had been saved
would not his first care have been to return to
Candies Bay. as it was impossible for him to
return on board!
Mars had not appeared at the plantation
Next day, the llth of March, about III o'clock.
the committee assembled, with Texar as presi-
dent, in the very court of justice whore the
Spaniard had made his charge against James
Burbank This time the charges against the
young officer were too serious to allow of his
escape He was doomed beforehand. Once
this business of the son was settled Texar
could devote himself to the father With little
Dy in his power, Mrs. Burbank would succ umb
to the successive blows he had dealt her. and he
would be avenged. Did it not seem as though
everything played into his hands to help him
crafty his implacable hatred?
Gilbert was brought from his prison. The
crowd accompanied him, grooming and yelling
the previous evening When he entered
the court, where Fexar's partisans were already
in force. he saluted with violent urroar
death to the spy! DEATH"
Gilbert took it all very coolly, and even In the
Spaniard's presence kept himself well under
control
"And YOU are an officer in the federal navyp
Yes"
"And you are now lieutenant on board one
of the eunboats under Commandant StevensP
you are the son of James Burbank. North |
erner, the owner of the plantation at Candles |
Bay?n
You admit that you left the fiotilla anchored |
below the bar during the night of the 10th of |
March?'
You admit that you were captured as you
were trying regain the hotilla with of I
your men?"
xvii. you tell me what your business was on |
the St. John'sl"
"A man came aboard the gunboat of which I |
was second in command. and told me that my |
fathers plantation had been devastated by |
horde of scoundreis. that Castle House had been |
besieged by thieves need not tell that TO the |
president of this committee, who is personally |
for these crimes.
Il tell Gilbert Burbank" said Texar. that |